next in importance to this-Fireflies and Grasshoppers-is fast approaching. The former seem to have some chance of winningwhich they have not done since 1865-but doubtless the gallant greens, animated by the recollection of their former glorious struggles, will fight hard to hold their own. It is a curious fact that the Grasshoppers have had the two captains in their ranks for the last three years, viz., in 1866, Abbott and Barrow; in 1867, Brice and Filgate; and in 1868, Strachan and Watts. May it be the good match it has ever been, and may the best side win.

The House Challenge Cup matches, in which most of the true football spirit is shewn, will soon be in full progress. It is impossible to predict the winners. Boyce's, the holders, are reported to be comparatively small, but invincibly determined. Smyth's are indubitably strong, the A. Day-boys are by no means weak, and both Brooksmith's and Price's are good all-round Twenties. In football, as in cricket, there is 'glorious uncertainty.' With regard to the small number of matches that have been played, the foul state of the weather, which visited us with four wet half-holidays-one of which was of course an extra one-must explain it; had we had fine weather, there would be nine or ten to chronicle instead of five. The first was—

SIDES OF CHAPEL.

Pulpit won, after a healthy struggle. First material advantage gained by the victors, in the shape of a delightfully 'happy thought' goal, dropped by Porter-of Bayly's, not a Day-boy. Reading Desk could only raise a punt out till the last point, when E. A. Brice (O.C.) kicked a fine goal, which did not, however, affect the ultimate issue of the game. In the ranks of the 'Colts,' Mansfield, H. Brice, Hopkinson, Harrison, R. and E. Perrott shewed good promise. The old caps, as in duty bound, did their endeavour to maintain the reputations won in the campaign of 1867.

COLLEGE v. TOWN.

Played on Saturday, Oct. 1o. The game was hollow throughout, for the former completely penned their opponents, who could not raise a solitary point; so the College won literally by as much as they liked. This was extraordinary, for the Town XX. was by no means weak, and contained many names of Old Cheltonians, formerly distinguished between goals. Soon after play began, Baines touched the ball down in the Town goal. The place (a long kick from the bottom ropes) was just missed by Strachan. Not long after Baines again distinguished himself by getting another try,

which resulted in a similar failure by Watts from the top ropes. At last Strachan succeeded in kicking a goal off a touch down secured by Hopkinson, and the sides, but not fortune, changed over, for the latter still favoured the College. Punts out and rouges became common, happening, on an average, at intervals of about five minutes. Towards the end of the afternoon a variation occurred, in the shape of a try at goal well got by Oxley, which resulted in a poster by Watts. Town then mettled up for last point, which they lost; for Guthrie playing well on the ball, got it in, and Watts kicked the goal. So the match ended triumphantly for the College XX., which well deserved its success. Frantic efforts were made for the losing side by Messrs. F. S. Bullock (O.C.), E. A. Brice (O.C.), Jeaffreson, R. E. Grey (O.C.), F. R. Price (O.C.) and Brindley, but were of none effect. For College, Guthrie, Browne, Oxley, Strachan, and Evans distinguished themselves. There was very little work for the backs, who did however what little fell to their lot well. Among them Steuart is especially worthy of mention. We congratulate the captain (A. P. Young), who played magnificently, on the fortunate issue of the first and last match in which he led the van as captain. As a Prefect, as captain, and as a friend, he is one not easily replaced.

CLASSICAL v. MODERN HOUSES.

Played on Saturday, October 17, and resulted in an easy win for the former. The game was one-sided throughout, and was comparatively uninteresting, for the victors easily penned their opponents and kept the ball well out of their own goal. For them Strachan dropped a goal in his usual form; Mansfield, Hopkinson and H. Brice were sufficiently prominent.

CRICKETERS (XI. AND XXII.) v. COLLEGE.

Played on Wednesday, Oct. 21. A better match than could have been expected, judging from the strength of the Cricketers, who, however, lost the services of some good men. The game was almost point for point till the last, when Strachan scored a goal for his side by a magnificent drop. It is worthy of remark that he has managed to raise one or more goals in every match in which he has yet played. For the Cricketers, Bryden and Harrison played well; for College, Nicholls, Torkington and others. The old caps are not mentioned, as they are doubtless above requiring any incitement in the shape of Kudos to induce them to play up.

HALVES OF ALPHABET.

Played on Wednesday, Oct. 28. A notable instance of the 'glorious uncertainty' of football. K to Z were far away the stronger side on paper, but being unfortunate enough to lose Strachan and Wyatt, were ignominiously beaten. They did get first point, it is true, but were soon distanced by two goals-one, a casual drop by Baines, the other, a good place by E. A. Brice, who subsequently missed two others—good tries though, both. K to Z got three tries which were all badly missed. Torkington, Bullock, Harrison, H. and E. A. Brice, Guthrie, Godfray, and others were foremost. We are sorry to say that G. H. Browne sustained a severe injury in this match.

C.C.B.C.

The chief event of the present half has been the race between the Classical and Modern Departments. It was rowed on Wednesday, September 30th. On that afternoon the Midland Railway Company provided a special train, which conveyed to Tewkesbury upwards of 200 persons, including several old boys, masters, and a few ladies. With the exception of one or two heavy showers the weather was fine and oppressively hot. Scarcely a ripple disturbed the surface of the Severn, which was dotted with craft of various kinds, from the eight-oar to those admirable inventions for rounding the back and narrowing the chest, called canoes, which are only too much in vogue with some of the lazier members of the club. Each department was represented by two boats-a first and a second. At about 3 p.m. the second boats took up their position at the poplar, and soon after started on their course of a mile, the flag being placed at the bridge. The crews were as follows:

CLASSICAL 2ND.

1. Glennie (bow).

2. Preston.

3. Campbell.

F. Money (stroke).

W. Crofton (cox.)

MODERN 2ND.

1. G. Strachan (bow).
2. Rice.

3. Callwell.

H. Matthews (stroke).
E. Gawne (cox.)

The modern team, which was much the heavier, at once took the lead and kept it for fully three-quarters of the course, when Money made a plucky spurt, which brought him in first by a length.

As soon as the second crews had landed, the boats were manned by the first crews. Their names and weights were as follows:

W.G.Lowther(stroke) II 6
E. Tickell (cox.) . 7 4

crew was 10st. 8lb., while
The start was from the

The average weight of the Modern that of the Classical was only 9st. 10lb. poplar as before, but the flag was now placed a quarter of a mile lower down than in the previous race, giving a course of a mile and a quarter. Both boats made a fair show as they paddled up to the start, the form of the Classical being, however, decidedly superior to that of their opponents, who, while they had palpably the advantage in point of weight and muscle, showed, in one or two cases, a tendency to round backs and screwing. At the start Lowther's crew picked up the stroke much quicker than Crofton's, and taking the lead continued to increase it, till they reached the Mythe, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile from the poplar, where Crofton made a splendid spurt and gained a length. It was, however, too late; his tired crew, who were evidently overweighted by their opponents, could not back the gallant efforts of their stroke, and the Modern came in easy winners by a length and a half. Mr. A. Crofton, Trin. Coll. Oxon, officiated as starter; the Rev. T. Southwood as judge. Among the spectators on the Mythe were the Rev. the Principal and several other masters.

The remaining events of the present half were as follows:— Saturday, October 3rd.-Smyth's raced the College in eights, and won by three-quarters of a length. On the same day the race between the Prefects and College, in four oars, took placeLowther rowing stroke of the Prefects' boat, Monro of the College. Contrary to all expectation the College won by about four lengths.

Wednesday, October 7th.-Race for the Challenge Pair-Oar Cup. For this five crews entered, representing respectively Smyth's, the A Day-boys, B Day-boys, Mugliston's, and Green's. Four heats were rowed. Smyth's, represented by Lowther and Crofton, W. Crofton being coxswain, won easily by four lengths.

Saturday, October 10th.-On this day the scratch fours were rowed over the short course from the bridge to the corner. Six boats entered, and the crews being remarkably well matched, some capital racing was the result. The crews of Crofton and Monro rowed a dead heat, and on a second attempt Monro won by 2ft. The final heat was won by Lowther's boat. Thus ended the season of 1868, which deserves to be remembered as a most successful one.

We must not conclude this notice without reminding our readers that W. Beauclerk, formerly captain of the C.C.B.C., and stroke of the College boat, has this year won the championship of the Severn at the Tewkesbury regatta, and the junior sculls at Chester. May the like success attend him at Cambridge!

Cricket.

CHELTENHAM COLLEGE, 1868.

E. A. Brice.-Captain for 1868, which post he has fulfilled to the satisfaction of all. A good useful bat, with a fine cut; but singularly unlucky this season. Decidedly above the average of school bowlers, having good head work, with an undeniable break back. Good field. Has left.

C. R. Filgate. By far the finest bat of the season, combining strong defence with tremendous punishing powers, as his long innings show. A brilliant field anywhere, with a quick return, especially from long leg and cover point. On his day, as a slow round arm bowler, destructive. Has left.

T. Y. Bramwell.-A really good bat, with strong defence, and always playing the game. Back stop of the Eleven. A good wicket keeper. Has left.

H. D. Fox.-Wonderfully improved as a bat this season. A good school bowler when on his mettle. Too careless in the field. Has left.

A. Chandler.-A bona fide all round cricketer. He has strong defence, and, when 'well set,' has great powers of punishing : always to be relied on when runs are most wanted. A useful change bowler and safe field anywhere. Has left.

T. Wise. Has succeeded Brice as captain.

A dangerous bat when well in, having a fine off drive. Has a very fair idea of taking the wicket.

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J.J. Reid. With a little more steadiness would make a fine bat: at times played brilliantly. On his day a splendid wicket keep, being very quick. A clever field anywhere. Has left.

J. F. Evans.-A fine bat when he plays the game, having an excellent style, and very free hitting powers on the one side. When determined, a brilliant field.